Articles tagged with: belize barrier reef

Belize is way less crowded than most vacation hotspots, but still has everything a tourist could want — snorkeling, hiking and incredible ancient ruins to tour. Bonus: It’s also the only Central American nation where English is the official language. If you need more convincing, here are 9 reasons to head to Belize over the rest:

Enter the marine conservation organization “Blue Ventures” which is trying to create a market for the fish as a way to combat its negative effects on the reef. The conservation group is working on teaching fishermen how to catch and clean the species without getting stung with the right handling and processing techniques.

From our out-of-the-way file comes an out-of-the-way story…Belize’s alleged Sea Cucumber Queen was busted and remanded to gaol. Now, we think this is an interesting story because how many people are familiar with the sea cucumber, and the huge illegal trade in this most humble of marine animals?

Now, in addition to the barrier reef, Australia is known for being a highly competitive society. Have you ever watched Australia football (Australia Football League or AFL, or Aussie Rules as it’s more commonly known)? Protective gear such as helmets is unknown, and US footballers are laughed at for their use of so much body armour.

Like anyone who has spent time in that beautiful part of Belize, I am scared… very scared about this proposal and the haste in which something with such potentially irreparable consequences is being pushed though. This is one of the most pristine, stunningly beautiful places on earth, and I just don’t see how it can absorb what NCL is proposing.

Along with many Belizeans I am disturbed by the lack of consultation and the haste in which the memorandum of understanding between the government of Belize and Norwegian Cruise Lines in regards to the sale of Harvest Caye has been signed.

The owner of the Lodge at Chaa Creek said that the eco resort’s inclusion in a recent USA Today travel guide “bucket list” is good news for the nascent Belizean tourism industry, and further proves that environmentally sustainable, Green tourism can provide a high quality travel experience. Lucy Fleming, who with her husband Mick started Chaa Creek by accepting guests at their small family farm in a remote part of Belize in 1981, said that recognition such as USA Today’s provides an important boost to the Belizean tourism industry, which since it’s relatively recent inception has struggled to achieve name recognition in the highly competitive Caribbean travel industry.

Here in Belize we’re celebrating in the usual fashion, as well as having a special Father’s Day celebration and song competition at the at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts in Belize City, which sounds like a great idea.

The Great Blue Hole is actually a giant sinkhole, an underwater version of the many cenotes scattered throughout the Belize and Yucatan mainland. It’s said to have been formed in stages some 150,000, 66,000, 60,000, and 15,000 years ago years when the oceans began to rise and limestone caves were flooded.

The recent announcement of direct flights from Los Angeles to Belize has been hailed by Belizean resort owners as a boon for the local tourism industry. According to the Lodge at Chaa Creek’s marketing director Larry Waight, the new service, scheduled to begin December 2013, will encourage more west coast travellers to consider the Caribbean as a viable alternative to destinations like Mexico’s Pacific coast and Hawaii. The direct flights will also make it easier for members of Belize’s large diaspora, many of whom reside in California, to visit family and friends and spend holidays in their country of origin, he added. “It very good news for the entire Belize tourism industry, as it makes a Belize vacation more viable to a larger audience.

Organised by Trip Advisor’s Virtual Tourist, the 8th Wonder election is attracting attention the world over with many countries, states, municipalities, towns and organisations rushing to get their local wonders recognised internationally with the big ones.

First of all, I’ve done the math, and I don’t think I’d save any money by holidaying up here. We did it the year before last, and after the gas, admissions to parks and other attractions, eating out and everything else, we spent a lot more than we’d budgeted for.

What do Australia and Belize and have in common? More than you might think, actually, and not the least of which is a pressing need to protect their stunning great barrier reefs; the world’s largest and second largest, respectively.

Mr Young, who is also a licensed naturalist guide at the Lodge at Chaa Creek, which maintains the Centre, said that the decision was the result of a suit brought about by Oceana, Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA), and the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage.

“Chaa Creek sits within a 365 acre private rainforest reserve, and with all of the activities and amenities on offer, we really are a destination within a destination. And, with over 30 years’ experience and close relationships with other resorts, tour companies and service providers, we can design and deliver packages that really are exceptional,” she said.